GLS Sedan

Compare Dealer Clearance Prices and SAVE

Review

2001
Hyundai
Sonata Review

Get more bang for your buck when you choose the Sonata over the Camry or Accord.

Reviewed by Automotive on
12/20/2001

Overview

A lot of people look upon Hyundai with suspicion because they offer lower-priced alternatives to popular designs. While a low price doesn't always equal a good deal, you get a lot for your money with the 2001 Hyundai Sonata. For the price of a stripped-down Camry or Accord, you can get the Sonata with an upgraded V-6 engine and plenty of interior features.

That's not to say that the Sonata is without its share of problems. That V-6, for instance, feels a little uninspired. It's serviceable, but far from fun. The four-cylinder engine also gets irritatingly loud in the upper-rev range.

The Sonata comes with one of the best warranties around. The Hyundai Advantage covers the powertrain for ten years or 100,000 miles. You also get five-year/100,000-mile corrosion coverage and bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is included for five years just to sweeten the deal. That kind of coverage is pretty much unheard of elsewhere.

If you sneer when you see Hyundai vehicles on the road, do yourself a favor and take the Sonata for a test drive. It won't blow your mind, but it will almost certainly change it, especially if you've always thought that you had to spend a lot of money to get a good car.

The Range

Body Styles: sedan

Engines: 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, 2.5-liter V-6 engine

Transmissions: automatic transmission, manual transmission

Models: Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Sonata GLS

What's New

The 2001 Hyundai Sonata gets a few features added to the standard list, along with an updated grille and rear deck lid.

Exterior

The 2001 Hyundai Sonata has a look similar to many contemporary sedans. Classy without looking pretentious, it has attractive sheet metal that's considerably more stylish than some of Hyundai's other vehicles.

Interior

Simply put, the 2001 Hyundai Sonata has a nice interior that most buyers will find attractive. It has plush seats, an intuitive panel design, and quite a few standard features (when you choose the GLS version). The GLS comes with a leather shift knob, a stereo with six speakers and a CD-player, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, and 12V power outlets.

The Sonata also offers as much cabin space as a Camry or Accord, which, depending on your preferences, is pretty spacious. It also has a large trunk that comes in handy.

Performance & Handling

A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine comes with the 2001 Hyundai Sonata base model. It offers 150 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque. The GLS gives you an opportunity to upgrade to a 2.5-liter, V-6 engine with 170 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. In other words, the Sonata is a medium-performance car that takes a while to really hit its stride. It's not the worst thing you'll test drive, but its power won't impress you, either.

The Sonata has good steering that offers a decent amount of feedback. It also has a minimum amount of body roll. Thanks to its double-wishbone suspension, it offers a smooth ride. Unfortunately, that enjoyable ride is marred by noise from the engine. It's fine under normal driving conditions, but it can get rowdy when pushed to the higher rev range. A lacking automatic transmission will also have a negative influence on your overall pleasure behind the wheel. Unless you have a strong aversion, opt for the manual transmission.

Safety

The 2001 Hyundai Sonata's safety ratings will give many potential buyers pause, and with good reason. While it earns good ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (four out of five stars in front side-impact tests and five stars for rear side impact), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has results that tell a different story. The IIHS gave the Sonata its lowest rating in side impact and rear crash protection/head restraint tests. However, it gave it an ""acceptable"" score for frontal-offset crashes. These contrasting results make it difficult to determine the overall safety of the Sonata.

It does come with some impressive safety features that might make you feel a bit more comfortable. Electronic brake force distribution and ventilated front disc/rear drum brakes will add some confidence behind the wheel. Dual front side-mounted airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners should also make you feel a little better, along with the optional Anti-lock Braking System.